Establishment

The Victorian Government Major Projects Unit is responsible for the co-ordination of designated major development projects and for the preparation of strategic state owned sites for development by the sector.

It was established in February 1987 following the gazettal of the Administration of Acts, Supplement to General Order of 29 April 1986, dated 13 February 1987. Under the provisions of this order, the Premier assigned ministerial responsibility for so much of the Urban Land Authority Act 1979 (No.9320) as related to major state projects to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Evan Walker, in his capacity as the Minister Responsible for Major Projects.

The Urban Land Authority (VA 1358) delegated its powers relating to major state projects to the Unit under Section 8 of the Urban Land Authority Act (No.9320). The operations of the Unit are separate from the existing residential and commercial land development activities of the Urban Land Authority.

Organistation and Structure

The Major Projects Unit is responsible for major projects assigned to it by the Government. The modus operandi of the Unit is for the Government to formally assign responsibility for specified approved projects to the Unit. Any liabilities arising from Government approved activities are the responsibility of the State. The Minister responsible formally assigns responsibility in accordance with the Premier's order of 13 February 1987 and Section 4 (1) (c) of the Urban Land Authority Act (No.9320). Initially there were eight projects managed by the Unit, all of them important to the development of inner Melbourne. In 1989, there were thirteen projects reflecting the Government's determination to accelerate the development of government-owned land.

The Unit works closely with all the relevant government departments (Ministry of Planning and Environment, Ministry of Conservation, Forests and Lands and the Ministry of Transport). The Unit brings together people with management skills from a number of departments and agencies and uses the services of consultants and contractors. Recruitment is primarily through secondment and contract employment.

Each project is headed by a Project Director, supported by a small project team assembled from the and public sectors. Project Directors report through the Director of the Unit to the Minister and are supported by a core staff which provides legal and financial expertise.

In accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reporting Act 1983, the annual report of the Unit is submitted to the Minister Responsible for Major Projects. The Minister, as chairman of the Special Committee for Major Projects, reports to the Economic Committee of the Cabinet.

Functions

The functions of the Unit include acquisition, consolidation and preparation of sites. Its task is to facilitate the development of large strategically significant areas of government-owned land for commercial, tourist and residential purposes. It is responsible for major state projects assigned to it by the Government. It provides a central contact point for developers interested in investing in major government projects.

The Unit has the authority to invite tenders, evaluate competitive development proposals, select developers, facilitate planning approvals, execute financial and legal agreements and supervise construction.

Some of the projects managed by the Unit as at March 1989 were:

Bayside
Lynch's Bridge
South Bank
Prince Henry's Hospital
Jolimont Railyards
Willesmere Hospital Site
World Congress Centre
Redevelopment of the State Library
Docklands (proposed Olympic Games Village)
Queen Victoria Hospital
Museum
Old Treasury

Location of Records

Only a small quantity of records has so far been transferred to the Public Record Office.